adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What a contrast, Duane thought, the evening of that day presented to the state of his soul!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
balanceverbUS /ˈbæləns/
bring into balance or equilibrium
From this reading This third facing of a desperate man had thrown him off his balance.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had not been fatal, but it threatened so much.
blewverbUS /bluː/
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
bodynounUS /ˈbɑːdi/
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Inside Duane's body there was strife.
breezenounUS /briːz/
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had not been fatal, but it threatened so much.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading What a contrast, Duane thought, the evening of that day presented to the state of his soul!
cooingverbUS /ˈkuːɪŋ/
-ing form of “coo” — speak softly or lovingly
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
cooladjectiveUS /kuːl/
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
cowbellnounUS /ˈkaʊbel/
a bell hung around the neck of cow so that the cow can be easily located
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading What a contrast, Duane thought, the evening of that day presented to the state of his soul!
desperateadjectiveUS /ˈdesprɪt/
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading This third facing of a desperate man had thrown him off his balance.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
dovenounUS /dʌv/
any of numerous small pigeons
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
Duane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What a contrast, Duane thought, the evening of that day presented to the state of his soul!
Duane's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inside Duane's body there was strife.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading What a contrast, Duane thought, the evening of that day presented to the state of his soul!
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading This third facing of a desperate man had thrown him off his balance.
faintadjectiveUS /feɪnt/
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading It had not been fatal, but it threatened so much.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
glorynounUS /ˈɡlɔːri/
a state of high honor
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
goldenadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊldən/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This third facing of a desperate man had thrown him off his balance.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This third facing of a desperate man had thrown him off his balance.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading What a contrast, Duane thought, the evening of that day presented to the state of his soul!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
InsideadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Inside Duane's body there was strife.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had not been fatal, but it threatened so much.
lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading This third facing of a desperate man had thrown him off his balance.
MexicannounUS /ˈmeksəkən/
a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
mountainsnounUS /ˈmaʊntənz/
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It had not been fatal, but it threatened so much.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It had not been fatal, but it threatened so much.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading What a contrast, Duane thought, the evening of that day presented to the state of his soul!
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading This third facing of a desperate man had thrown him off his balance.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
peacenounUS /piːs/
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
presentedverbUS /priˈzentɪd/
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading What a contrast, Duane thought, the evening of that day presented to the state of his soul!
rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It had not been fatal, but it threatened so much.
soulnounUS /soʊl/
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading What a contrast, Duane thought, the evening of that day presented to the state of his soul!
soundsnounUS /saʊndz/
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
statenounUS /steɪt/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading What a contrast, Duane thought, the evening of that day presented to the state of his soul!
strifenounUS /straɪf/
lack of agreement or harmony
From this reading Inside Duane's body there was strife.
sunsetnounUS /ˈsʌnset/
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
sweetadjectiveUS /swiːt/
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What a contrast, Duane thought, the evening of that day presented to the state of his soul!
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading What a contrast, Duane thought, the evening of that day presented to the state of his soul!
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Inside Duane's body there was strife.
thirdnounUS /θɜːrd/
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading This third facing of a desperate man had thrown him off his balance.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This third facing of a desperate man had thrown him off his balance.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading What a contrast, Duane thought, the evening of that day presented to the state of his soul!
threatenedadjectiveUS /ˈθretənd/
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading It had not been fatal, but it threatened so much.
thrownadjectiveUS /θroʊn/
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading This third facing of a desperate man had thrown him off his balance.
tinklenounUS /ˈtɪŋkəl/
a light clear metallic sound as of a small bell
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading What a contrast, Duane thought, the evening of that day presented to the state of his soul!
tranquiladjectiveUS /ˈtræŋkwəl/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
valleynounUS /ˈvæli/
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Inside Duane's body there was strife.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The sunset lingered in golden glory over the distant Mexican mountains; twilight came slowly; a faint breeze blew from the river cool and sweet; the late cooing of a dove and the tinkle of a cowbell were the only sounds; a serene and tranquil peace lay over the valley.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What a contrast, Duane thought, the evening of that day presented to the state of his soul!
